NEPTUNE, NEW JERSEY – Homecoming Sunday at Neptune High School was spoiled as the Middletown South Eagles marched into Memorial Field and came out with a 16-0 victory over the Scarlet Fliers.
With the win, the Eagles keep their undefeated season alive and clinch a share of the Federal Division title.
Neptune, ranked No. 8 in the Shore Conference, suffered their first loss at home since 2007. The loss extends their losing streak against Middletown South to eight games.
The Scarlet Fliers were at a disadvantage when quarterback Jamaal Hubbard left the game with a dislocated shoulder in the second quarter. Backup quarterbacks Matthew Gannon and Jaheem Woods played the remainder of the game in place of Hubbard. Neither quarterback was able to provide the spark needed to score points against the talented Eagles defense, which held Neptune to only 65 yards of total offense in the game.
“We turned it over three times, had a ton of penalties, and didn’t block well,” Neptune Head Coach John Fiore said. “You don’t do those three things; you can’t beat a good team.”
Kevin O'Reily's touchdown.
Photo by Steve Goldberg
The Scarlet Fliers put up a strong fight against the Eagles, the No. 2 team in the Shore. The game was scoreless until late in the first half. Middletown South defensive lineman Nick Bricker recovered a fumble by Gannon at the Neptune 5-yard line. Two plays later, Eagles quarterback Scott Meeker connected on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Kevin O’Reilly to give Middletown South a 7-0 lead.
“It felt good because we’re trying to win the Federal Division championship, so it was good to score points,” O’Reilly said.
Neptune’s defense kept the game close until the middle of the fourth quarter. Facing third-and-2 from the Neptune 43-yard line, Eagles running back Kyle Bunge ran up the middle for a 9-yard gain. Neptune was penalized 15 yards on the play for a horse collar tackle, which subsequently gave Middletown South the ball at the Neptune 19. This costly penalty was one of five in the game on the Scarlet Fliers for a total of 50 yards.
After the Eagles were unable to convert on third-and-5, freshman kicker Connor Ryan was brought on to attempt a 31-yard field goal. Ryan split the uprights and extended the Middletown South lead to 10-0 with just under seven minutes remaining in the game.
“I’ve done it before. It was nothing big, and I didn’t feel any pressure, so I was happy about that,” Ryan said.
Middletown South added to their lead toward the end of the fourth quarter on a 9-yard touchdown run by Bunge. Bunge was the leading rusher for the Eagles with a total of 78 yards on 15 carries.
“I saw the line block, I saw everyone just block perfectly,” Bunge said about the touchdown run. “I followed their blocks and it just felt amazing.”
Middletown South (7-0 overall, 5-0 Federal Division) will be playing Lakewood (0-6, 0-5) on Friday at “The Swamp.” The Eagles will attempt to clinch the Federal Division title outright on their home turf.
Eagles running game was on point.
Photo by Steve Goldberg
“Believe me, we are not going to overlook Lakewood. They will come and play us hard and they always do,” Middletown South Head Coach Steven Antonucci said. “We want to get [the Federal Division title] to ourselves.”
Middletown South could also clinch sole possession of the title if the Scarlet Fliers lose next week. Neptune (4-2, 4-1) will be on the road against Liberty (3-3, 2-3) on Friday.
The Eagles last won the Federal Division in 2005, and they have not won an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III championship since 2006. This is the longest drought without either a sectional championship or division title since 1994. Antonucci is glad that this year’s senior class is finally getting a taste of what Middletown South football is all about.
“These kids have been working hard,” Antonucci said. “I’m proud of this group, because they finally have something to hang their hat on. It’s important. You don’t want to be one of those classes, with the tradition of this program, to walk out of here with nothing in your hand.”
